V1: Chapter 48: Sister, You're Naughty

"Please speak."

"Spare Auston and Edwin's lives. One is my son, and the other is my grandson."

Donald didn't morally blackmail Liang Di by saying, "One is your father, and the other is your half-brother," because he knew that Auston was not only Liang Di's father but also the murderer who tried to kill her, while Edwin was the product of Auston and the maid Miranda's pregnancy before Lady Meredith died—an illegitimate child.

Moreover… Auston and Miranda conspired to kill Liang Di's biological mother, Meredith. In a way, they were matricides. Donald had nothing to say and no desire to defend his son.

Liang Di remained silent.

Donald sighed.

"At least while I'm still alive, don't touch them again."

Looking at Donald's aged face before her, Liang Di hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

How long can an old man live?

This was Liang Di's truest, and coldest, thought.

The next day, at the Noble Academy

The news that Liang Lin and Liang Di had successfully sent the Baron and his wife to the Imperial Prison in Orlando City had already spread throughout the academy.

In swordsmanship class, some noble boys cast admiring glances at Liang Lin. Yes, it was admiration, not containing any affection or secret crush, just like idol worship.

Some boys mustered their courage and greeted Liang Lin.

Liang Lin was quite confused. These guys used to avoid her, so why were they so enthusiastic today? Did she look much more approachable?

Today's wicked girl was still so oblivious to her own limitations~

In swordsmanship class, Liang Lin challenged the swordsmanship teacher.

Long ago, Liang Lin had challenged her teacher, but he disdained to spar with such a child and repeatedly refused. It wasn't until Liang Lin defeated Gael that he began to think more highly of her.

The teacher was uncertain about his chances against Liang Lin. His swordsmanship was only barely superior to Gael's, and from watching their previous fight, he had observed Gael being completely overwhelmed.

As he had predicted, he ultimately lost to Liang Lin.

Ashamed, the teacher bowed politely to her, saying, "Miss Liang Lin, I am truly ashamed."

"It's alright, teacher," Liang Lin said calmly, "I am a genius in this field, without a doubt."

The wind ruffled her high-tied black hair and her fluffy bangs. The young woman stood tall and proud in the sunlight, confident and radiant.

Some noble boys were already mesmerized, their envy and admiration overflowing.

"Miss Liang Lin, I heard that... in Orlando City, you single-handedly defeated a group of thugs wielding large axes! You were truly brave!"

After class, a noble boy mustered up his courage, approached Liang Lin, closed his eyes, and loudly praised her.

"Uh..."

Although Liang Lin didn't quite understand why this guy closed his eyes, why he wouldn't look at her, she felt a strange sense of superiority in the face of praise. So, she proudly raised her noble head.

"As long as you study swordsmanship diligently, one day you will be able to match even a tenth of my skill."

Such arrogant words again, but this time it didn't provoke any dissatisfaction; on the contrary, it received enthusiastic applause from some students.

Liang Di stood at a distance, watching all of this. She gazed at it from afar, feeling proud, like a wife witnessing her husband's glory.

However, her good mood ended when a noble girl tugged at Liang Lin's sleeve.

“Miss Liang, Miss Liang Lin.”

The girl was petite and adorable, about half a head shorter than Liang Lin. Her long pink hair cascaded obediently over her shoulders, and her face was slightly flushed; she was very cute, like a little penguin. She hooked her index finger around Liang Lin's sleeve, speaking hesitantly.

“Is there something you need, classmate?”

Liang Lin responded politely, withdrawing her hand at the same time.

“Miss Liang Lin, I am the daughter of the Motley family, my name is Joey.”

As Joey spoke, she nervously observed Liang Lin's attitude.

Seeing no reaction, she quickly continued, “May I invite you to our Motley family's tea party this weekend? I've also invited other young ladies, all around our age.”

It had been a long time since anyone had invited Liang Lin. After all, Liang Lin's reaction at the tea party was well-known and widely discussed within the aristocratic ladies' circle.

"Uh," Liang Lin paused, pointing to herself, "Are you sure... you're inviting me? Are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else? My name is Liang Lin Langwendi. There shouldn't be anyone with the same name in this academy, right?"

Joey hurriedly waved her hands, then, realizing something was amiss, quickly nodded.

Her flustered appearance was quite cute, successfully amusing Liang Lin.

But Liang Lin's smile was eerie, cold, almost a sneer. Although startled, Joey mustered her courage and invited her again.

"Miss Liang Lin, I am inviting you. So, could you come this weekend?"

Liang Lin thoroughly disliked the atmosphere of the tea party. She didn't want to touch anything, not even the topics the ladies discussed or the sickeningly sweet desserts.

"I... I'd rather not..."

Liang Lin hadn't finished speaking.

“No, she doesn’t want to go.”

Liang Di strode out from around the corner of the corridor, grabbing Liang Lin and pulling her behind her.

Liang Di’s eyes, like cold blades, were filled with threat and murderous intent, sending chills down one’s spine. Joey was startled, taking a step back and leaning against the cold wall.

“My sister is going on a date with me this weekend.”

“Liang Di! What nonsense are you talking about!”

Liang Lin behind her tried to cover Liang Di’s mouth, but Liang Di grabbed her wrist.

Is this kind of thing something you can say in public?

Liang Di is getting more and more out of line!

“Your name is Joey, right?”

Liang Di ignored Liang Lin, staring at Joey with her icy eyes.

Joey’s body stiffened. A voice inside her urged her to run, or else the girl in front of her would kill her.

"I'm so sorry! Miss Liang Di, I didn't know you had things to do this weekend! It's...it's my fault. I...I won't bother you anymore, I...I'll be going now!"

Joey took stiff steps and hurriedly ran away, her back view filled with panic.

"Liang Lin..."

Liang Di slowly turned her head, her eyes wide open in a terrifying way, her pupils that were that eerie green again.

"Sister Liang Lin, you're being naughty."

Liang Di murmured, like the whisper of an ancient god, exploding in Liang Lin's ears, buzzing.

"Come with me to the bathroom."